Levy apologizes but doesn't regret bypassing media Notes

TAMPA,FLA. — TAMPA, Fla. -- Coach Marv Levy of the Buffalo Bills apologized for skipping a mandatory media session Tuesday, but still showed signs of being tense for Sunday's Super Bowl game against the New York Giants.

"I apologize to you and the league," Levy told writers when he showed up at yesterday's session.

Levy, who said he skipped the Tuesday session because he was working on his game plan, said he told the players earlier, "This is the game we've been preparing for all of our lives and preparation is going to be priority number one."

Denying that he is more uptight for this game than any other, Levy said, "I'm uptight before every game."

Despite his apology, Levy didn't sound too sorry about his action even though he's likely to be fined by the National Football League.

"I regret that it caused the stir that it did. I can't honestly say I regret that I spent the time doing what I did," he said.

When it was suggested that if Levy wanted the players to follow his rule, he should follow league rules, he said, "The answer to that is yes. The league did address me on that and sent over a couple of guys to ask me to do them a favor."

Levy also said he told the players to "enjoy yourself" Super Bowl week.

Levy said he was aware he created a distraction by skipping the session, but, "I don't think it affected our team at all."

Levy was an assistant coach under the late George Allen when Allen railed about distractions the week before the Washington Redskins' 14-7 loss to the Miami Dolphins in Super Bowl VII. There's been much speculation that Allen got his team uptight for the game.

"George loved distractions," Levy said. "He loved to have them to rail about something. I'd rather be involved in them that in some placid environment right now."

* Pepper Johnson of the Giants said he and three teammates went to see the Los Angeles Lakers play the Orlando Magic on Tuesday night because they wanted to see "Earvin."